Thailand striker Nisa Romyen continued her outstanding form in the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers as she slammed yet another sensational hat-trick against a weary Iran side yesterday to put her side through to the final round. After scoring four goals against the hosts, Bangladesh, on the first match day and a winning one against Philippines in the second game, Nisa contributed to all five goals of the Thai side yesterday, netting thrice and assisting two in their last group B qualifiers match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to secure the final spot. Thailand were all over their opponents throughout the game. Unlike their opponents, they looked soothing in the first half and started their natural attacking game in the second where they produced all five goals. Maryam Rahimi was the only lively performer of Iran who broke into the opponents’ terrain several times but could not find the net due to lack of support from her teammates. However, Rahimi was the architect of their only goal of the game scored by Sara Ghomi, which they celebrated like they won the match. Thailand needed just a draw to go through and they started the game with a relaxed mood making one real attack in the first half. Thai coach Piyakul made a small change in the stroke of the first half bringing in midfielder Supaporn Gaewbaen in place of Dangda Taneekarn to bolster their midfield. Piyakul saw his strategy change pay off as Nisa broke the deadlock just a minute into the second half. Nisa arguably scored the best goal of the meet in the 65th minute when she dribbled past three Irani defenders, Kamangar, Ghanbari and Kousar, inside the d-box to score her second goal of the evening. Nisa then provided assists for their next two goals before scoring her eighth goal of the meet to complete the rout. “This tournament was really tough as only the winner of the group is supposed to qualify for the next round, and we proved our potential by winning all three matches,” said Piyakul Kawnamkang. “I know it’s even tougher in the next round, but we will try our best to do better there,” he said. "We were unable to control our emotions after conceding the first, and perhaps conceding consecutive goals in a very short time. We are going to start preparing ourselves for the future and do better in the next tournaments," said Iran's Portuguese coach Helena Costa.
Match Highlights Thailand 5 – 1 Iran
46" GOAL! Wilaiporn Boothduang took a corner from the left that flew into the head of unmarked Nisa whose back header went into the net after a slight touch from the goalie.
65" GOAL! It was Nisa again. The in-form striker this time dribbled past three Iranians inside the d-box and slotted the home past into the far post.
69" GOAL! Breaking into the left of the penalty area, Nisa's shot was saved by the goalie but Anootsara Maijarern made the perfect use of the rebound as she fired the ball over the goalie to find the top of the net.
74" GOAL! Receiving a ball from Nisa, skipper Seesruam grounded the ball into the bottom right corner to beat the diving goalie. Seesruam immediately subbed off.
79" GOAL! Sara Ghomi's first shot on target was stopped by the goalie, Ghomi found the rebound and made sure this time it hit the back of the net.
85" GOAL! Second hat-trick for Nisa in three games! The Thai forward received a ball inside the box, hanged around for a moment then placed the ball into the net.